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#1
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Foam between the radiator and condenser
After doing some reading, it became apparent that this foam is not just a minor afterthought of the original engineers. The foam serves its strongest function while idling or driving slowly. Without it, the fans will suck in hot engine cabin air through the gap and then through the radiator. It can make a big difference in operating temperature. At speed the effect is less but the foam does stop cold air from bypassing the radiator after it has been brought in through the grill and condenser. It probably has a minor impact on operating temperature.
I am considering this for replacing my old deteriorating foam: http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/116/3535/=ajvciw I was thinking of part number 8865K52 and then cutting out strips from the sheet. It is high temperature foam with a high temperature adhesive.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#2
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
The foam is an after thought. A crack of that size could never flow enough hot air that it could cause a hike in temperature. In fact, I'd argue that after I removed that foam, my temperature needle actually sits lower than it did with the foam.
If blocking that area was so important, why didn't the engineers put a piece of plastic there? Surely it must be cheaper than high-temp foam and would do an even better job!
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-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi |
#3
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#4
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
A piece of squishy foam seals better (when new) than a piece of plastic or metal would. Radiator blocking plates are fairly popular aftermarket add-ons- ZeroSports and Siebon make them, amongst others, for Subarus.
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#5
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
My 84 rabbit had a piece of cardboard there from the factory and it did make a difference without it. I replaced the foam in the SVX last year with some stuff from Lowe's. I know what you're thinking, but it is a good match to original. Make sure you get the 1" x .5" one and run the .5" vertically. The 1" part will squish to fit. While you're at it, check the condition of the foam on the sides of the radiator.
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#6
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
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This is to prevent air getting into the engine compartment, drawing it only through the radiator. They went to a bit of work to ensure that the low pressure caused by the flow under the car, produced the best flow through the coolers, when moving fast. Harvey.
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One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#7
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#8
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
Can anyone else comment on whether they have foam on the sides? When I look at my car, I don't even think I can put foam on the sides as there are items crossing in between the radiator and the condenser and they come in from the sides. I think one is the cable for the hood latch and one is the power steering "cooler".
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#9
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
Checking on Subaruparts.com, I come up with "seal radiator side" in the attached image. Looks like there should be one- I'm going to check my '92 tomorrow when there's daylight.
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#10
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
It doesn't look like that part seals the gap between the radiator and the condenser. I will look for that tomorrow too.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#11
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
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Keith |
#12
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
If it wasn't 3 degrees out right now, I'd probably go check mine now !
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#13
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
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http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...category=450-B #15 is the side seal and there are 2 of those... one for each side. #16 is the lower seal and there is one of those. the top seal comes with the radiator and I don't think it can be ordered separately but it could be replaced as has been previously suggested with weatherstripping from a hardware store... Home depot or equivalent. Keith |
#14
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
We hit 3F too. I checked it out this morning. There "was" foam on the sides at one point. But, it wasn't between the radiator and the condenser. It was just the sides of the radiator. And it didn't fill the entire distance. It was only about half to 2/3rds up. The reason is that there are items which come in from the sides between the radiator and the condenser. Those pieces of foam don't seem to serve much of a purpose other than maybe keeping stuff off the sides of the radiator. I would say that the top and bottom foam pieces do much of the air isolation. However, air will sneak around the sides due to the incomplete filling of the gap between the condenser and radiator.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#15
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Re: Foam between the radiator and condenser
That piece of foam on the bottom can become a real problem if it is not removed periodically to clean the crap that collects there. It holds moisture which rots the power steering cooler loop. I replaced mine after removing the leaky loop with an oil cooler from a motorcycle but the fine dirt still gets in there and clogs the lower fins of the radiator. There was no foam on the sides so I added some to keep the big stuff out.
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